Post Falls city center makes gradual strides with projects

Home removed near City Hall; Roger's Burgers, brewery coming

POST FALLS — Activity is picking up in Post Falls' city center once again.

After Spokane Street was revitalized last year, multiple projects are in various stages in 2016.

The city razed the home at 205 E. Fourth Ave. this week to add additional parking for the City Hall campus.

The city purchased the property from Shirley Bennett last year for $223,320 with money from its capital improvement fund.

"The city has been trying to acquire this property since the original plan to build the current City Hall," said Shelly Enderud, city administrator. "The city has felt for a long time that it was in the best interest of long-term planning to purchase the property should it become available. This allows more flexibility with the campus and opens up possibilities for the future with the vision of creating a city center for Post Falls."

Construction of the site will start this spring and be performed by city staff.

"We have not even started the site plan yet, so there is no estimate of parking spots or costs," Enderud said.

Asbestos was removed prior to razing both the house and garage.

The house is the last to be removed on Fourth on the City Hall campus.

Enderud said Roger's Burgers plans to expand its reach in Kootenai County and build a restaurant across from City Hall at the southwest corner of Fourth and Spokane. She said the property across from City Hall has been divided into three pieces and the restaurant is buying the corner section.

A block south of City Hall, Kootenai County is planning to double the size of its DMV office on Railroad Avenue and create additional parking for RV inspections. Design work will be completed this year with construction in 2017.

Farther south on Spokane Street at First Avenue, Post Falls Brewing Co. plans to open in its new building soon.